Key Takeaways
- Bird flu can spread to pets through uncooked food and milk.
- Cooking pet food is the safest method to eliminate bird flu.
- The FDA encourages pet food manufacturers to enhance safety measures.
MONDAY, Jan. 27, 2025 – Recent reports have highlighted the serious risk of bird flu for pets, particularly after incidents involving cats that consumed raw pet food or milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded by urging pet food companies to implement stricter safety protocols to protect both pets and pet owners.
FDAs Guidance to Pet Food Manufacturers
The FDA has advised pet food manufacturers to source ingredients from healthy animals and recommend the use of heat treatment or pasteurization processes to inactivate potential viral threats. According to the FDA’s latest warning, there have been multiple investigations showing that H5N1 can infect cats via contaminated food, primarily unpasteurized milk or unprocessed meats.
Why is Bird Flu a Threat to Pets?
Bird flu, also known as H5N1, has affected birds across all U.S. states since 2022. Cats, in particular, are susceptible to the virus, with cases identified among both domestic and feral felines. The same virus has also been found in dogs. H5N1 can be deadly for these animals, underscoring the urgency of the FDA’s guidelines.
Protecting Your Pet
The FDA advises pet owners to cook raw pet food before serving it to protect their pets from the risk of bird flu. Dr. J. Scott Weese, director of the Center for Public Health and Zoonoses at the University of Guelph, agrees, emphasizing cooking as the most reliable method to eradicate potential pathogens.
Some pet food manufacturers, such as Instinct, a raw pet food brand, are taking proactive measures. They use high-pressure processing (HPP) or pasteurization to reduce the risk of contamination. However, experts caution that while these methods are helpful, cooking remains the most effective way to ensure the safety of pet food.
Missing Details in FDA Guidance
Dr. Jane Sykes, a professor of small animal internal medicine at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, expressed reservations about the FDA’s lack of specific guidelines. Critics argue that the FDA’s warning lacks detailed instructions on how to test for H5N1 or determine if heat treatment is necessary, making it difficult for pet food companies to follow.
Voluntary Measures and Future Actions
The FDA’s guidance is voluntary, leaving companies to decide their safety strategies. “The companies have to decide what they want to do,” Dr. Weese stated. “The FDA stays away from mandatory practices. This is a first step, but we may see stronger regulations if more cases occur.”
Public Health Implications
The spread of bird flu among pets poses not only a risk to animal health but also a potential threat to human health. The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the FDA’s recommendations and encourages pet owners to take precautions to protect their pets and possibly themselves from this dangerous virus.
What This Means for You
To safeguard your pet’s health, avoid feeding them uncooked food or raw milk. Cooking pet food is one of the best ways to protect your furry friend from the dangers of bird flu. Stay informed about the latest safety practices and consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice.
The CDC continues to provide updates on bird flu and its spread. For more information, visit their website.
More Information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has comprehensive updates on bird flu.
What This Means For You
Avoid feeding your pet uncooked food or raw milk. Experts recommend cooking raw pet foods to mitigate the risk of bird flu.
We value your feedback. Please share your thoughts below and join our community by subscribing to our newsletter for the latest updates and articles.
Like, share, and comment on this article to help spread awareness and keep us informed!